Park to chair preparatory committee on unification

Published : 2014-03-14 20:57
Updated : 2014-03-14 20:57

South Korean President Park Geun-hye will chair an envisioned presidential committee for unification with North Korea, an official said Friday, a rare decision apparently designed to show she cares deeply about the issue.

Park ordered the committee’s formation in her New Year’s news conference in January, saying the country should make preparations for unification that she said would be a “bonanza” for the two Koreas as well as a blessing for neighboring countries.

On Friday, senior presidential foreign affairs and security secretary Ju Chul-ki announced some of the details of the envisioned committee, including Park by herself chairing the panel that will also comprise two vice chairs and some 50 members.

Members will include not only government officials but also private experts, Ju said.

The government plans to formally launch the committee in April after legal and other necessary preparations, including selecting committee members. The committee will hold a regular meeting once every quarter, Ju said. (Yonhap)